Modest Mouse guitarist Simon O’Connor removed from tour after alleged messages to teen fan
Simon O’Connor was dropped from Modest Mouse’s upcoming tour after accusations that he sent inappropriate Instagram messages to a 17-year-old follower.
A Reddit thread revealed alleged Instagram messages from Modest Mouse guitarist Simon O’Connor to a fan who was about to turn 17, featuring a nude image and questionable comments. The fan said she thought the messages were a hack, but O’Connor later denied being hacked and admitted to poor judgment. He posted his own Reddit statement asserting he opposes any sexual conduct toward minors, claiming a separate account had been interacting with his posts and that he sent a tasteless meme in response.
After realizing the mistake, he unsent the messages and apologized. Modest Mouse confirmed O’Connor will not join their tour and introduced Les Savy Fav’s Seth Jabour as his replacement. The tour begins on Aug. 4 in Ojai, California, and runs through Oct. 23 in Sacramento.
Why it matters
The incident raises concerns about artist conduct online and how bands handle allegations of inappropriate behavior.
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